Viridian Gym

Viridian Gym トキワジム Tokiwa Gym
Location	Viridian City
Gym Leader	GiovanniRBYFRLGPE BlueGSCHGSSPE Jessie, James, and Meowth (temporary, anime only) Agatha (replacement, anime only)
Badge	Earth Badge
Dominant Type	Ground
Region	Kanto
Battlefield

Giovanni's/Blue's Gym Leader area

The Viridian Gym (Japanese: トキワジム Tokiwa Gym) is the official Gym of Viridian City. During the events of Generations I, III, and VII, it is based on Ground-type Pokémon and the Gym Leader is Giovanni, the boss of Team Rocket. After Team Rocket is disbanded at the end of Generations I, III, and VII, Blue takes over as the Leader during Generations II, IV, and VII; under his direction, the Gym no longer concentrates on any particular type. In Generation VII, Blue takes over the Gym immediately after Giovanni leaves it, rematching the player in his place during the post-game. Trainers who earn a win at the Viridian Gym receive the Earth Badge.

In the anime, Agatha of the Elite Four serves as a temporary Gym Leader here following Giovanni's abdication of the position to focus on leading Team Rocket.

In the games

Core series games

Viridian City
Pokémon Gym

Viridian City
Pokémon Gym
Leader: ...
The rest of the
text is illegible...

Viridian City Pokémon Gym

Viridian City Pokémon Gym
Leader: ...
The rest of the text is illegible...

Viridian Gym appears in all games set in the Kanto region. In Generations I, III, and VII, when the player first reaches the Gym, it is locked due to the absence of the Gym Leader. With this acknowledged, the player journeys off to other Gyms to challenge them. Once the player has collected the other seven Gym Badges, the Viridian Gym reopens. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the Gym guide declares that earning seven Badges is the prerequisite for entering the Gym, effectively meaning that the Viridian Gym, unlike most other Kanto Gyms in Generation VII, has no additional prerequisites required for entering.

In Generations II, IV, and VII, Blue takes over the Gym. In Generation II, the Gym can be challenged as soon as Blue is spoken to on Cinnabar Island. In Generation IV, however, Blue will stay on Cinnabar Island and will not return to his Gym until the player speaks to him after obtaining the other seven Kanto Gym Badges. In Generation VII, Blue can be challenged to a Gym Leader rematch at the Gym during the post-game in place of Giovanni.

Inside the Gym, the floor uses the same transporting tiles as are used in the Team Rocket Hideout. The player must use these tiles to navigate through the Gym to reach the Gym Leader. In Generation II, the Gym is completely remodeled and the tiles are gone; in Generation IV, the tiles are put back up, now covering almost the entire floor of the Gym.

Appearance

Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation VII

Items

Item		Location	Games
	Revive	North of the spin tile north of the entrance	R  B  Y
	Revive	Near Ace Trainer Yuji northeast of the entrance	P  E
	TM27 (Fissure)	Reward for defeating Giovanni	R  B  Y
	TM26 (Earthquake)	Reward for defeating Giovanni	FR  LG
	Macho Brace	Where Giovanni stood (hidden)	FR  LG
	TM92 (Trick Room)	Reward for defeating Blue	HG  SS
	TM41 (Earthquake)	Reward for defeating Giovanni	P  E

Trainers

Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow

Trainer	Pokémon
Tamer Reward: $1560	Arbok Lv.39 No item
	Tauros Lv.39 No item
Blackbelt Reward: $1075	Machoke Lv.43 No item
Cooltrainer Reward: $1365	Nidorino Lv.39 No item
	Nidoking Lv.39 No item
Tamer Reward: $1720	Rhyhorn Lv.43 No item
Blackbelt Reward: $1000	Machop Lv.40 No item
	Machoke Lv.40 No item
Cooltrainer Reward: $1365	Sandslash Lv.39 No item
	Dugtrio Lv.39 No item
Cooltrainer Reward: $1505	Rhyhorn Lv.43 No item
Blackbelt Reward: $950	Machoke Lv.38 No item
	Machop Lv.38 No item
	Machoke Lv.38 No item

Pokémon Red and Blue

Giovanni has one Guard Spec. per Pokémon, using it randomly 25% of the time.

Giovanni Viridian Gym Red, Green, and Blue Reward: $4950

Types: Ground Rock Rhyhorn Lv.45 Stomp Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Horn Attack Normal   --       Type: Ground Unknown Dugtrio Lv.42 Growl Normal   --       Dig Ground   --       Sand-Attack Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.44 Scratch Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.45 Tackle Normal   --       Horn Attack Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Thrash Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhydon Lv.50 Stomp Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Fissure Ground   --       Horn Drill Normal   --

Pokémon Yellow

Giovanni has one Guard Spec. per Pokémon, using it randomly 25% of the time.

Giovanni Viridian Gym Yellow Reward: $5445

Type: Ground Unknown Dugtrio Lv.50 Dig Ground   --       Sand-Attack Normal   --       Fissure Ground   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.53 Screech Normal   --       Double Team Normal   --       Fury Swipes Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.53 Earthquake Ground   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Thunder Electric   --       Double Kick Fighting   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.55 Earthquake Ground   --       Leer Normal   --       Thunder Electric   --       Double Kick Fighting   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhydon Lv.55 Rock Slide Rock   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Horn Drill Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Blue has two Full Restores.

Leader Blue Viridian Gym Gold, Silver, and Crystal Reward: $5800

Types: Normal Flying Held item: None Pidgeot♂ Lv.56 Quick Attack Normal   --       Whirlwind Normal   --       Wing Attack Flying   --       Mirror Move Flying   --       Type: Psychic Unknown Held item: None Alakazam♂ Lv.54 Disable Normal   --       Recover Normal   --       Psychic Psychic   --       Reflect Psychic   --       Types: Ground Rock Held item: None Rhydon♂ Lv.56 Fury Attack Normal   --       Sandstorm Rock   --       Rock Slide Rock   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Water Flying Held item: None Gyarados♂ Lv.58 Twister Dragon   --       Hydro Pump Water   --       Rain Dance Water   --       Hyper Beam Normal   --       Types: Grass Psychic Held item: None Exeggutor♂ Lv.58 Sunny Day Fire   --       Leech Seed Grass   --       Egg Bomb Normal   --       SolarBeam Grass   --       Type: Fire Unknown Held item: None Arcanine♂ Lv.58 Roar Normal   --       Swift Normal   --       Flamethrower Fire   --       ExtremeSpeed Normal   --

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Trainer	Pokémon
Tamer Cole アキラ Akira Reward: $1560	Arbok♂ Lv.39 No item
	Tauros♂ Lv.39 No item
Black Belt Kiyo タクマ Takuma Reward: $1032	Machoke♂ Lv.43 Black Belt
Cooltrainer Samuel タクヤ Takuya Reward: $1404	Sandslash♂ Lv.37 No item
	Sandslash♂ Lv.37 No item
	Rhyhorn♂ Lv.38 No item
	Nidorino♂ Lv.39 No item
	Nidoking♂ Lv.39 No item
Cooltrainer Yuji カズシ Kazushi Reward: $1368	Sandslash♂ Lv.38 No item
	Graveler♂ Lv.38 No item
	Onix♂ Lv.38 No item
	Graveler♂ Lv.38 No item
	Marowak♂ Lv.38 No item
Black Belt Atsushi テツヒサ Tetsuhisa Reward: $960	Machop♂ Lv.40 Black Belt
	Machoke♂ Lv.40 Black Belt
Tamer Jason ヒロ Hiro Reward: $1720	Rhyhorn♂ Lv.43 No item
Cooltrainer Warren レイジ Reiji Reward: $1404	Marowak♂ Lv.37 No item
	Marowak♂ Lv.37 No item
	Rhyhorn♂ Lv.38 No item
	Nidorina♀ Lv.39 No item
	Nidoqueen♀ Lv.39 No item
Black Belt Takashi シロウ Shirō Reward: $912	Machoke♂ Lv.38 Black Belt
	Machop♂ Lv.38 Black Belt
	Machoke♂ Lv.38 Black Belt
Trainers with a Vs. Seeker by their names, when alerted for a rematch using the item, may use higher-level Pokémon.

Giovanni has two Hyper Potions and a Full Heal.

Leader Giovanni Viridian Gym FireRed and LeafGreen Reward: $5000

Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightningrod Held item: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.45 Take Down Normal   --       Rock Blast Rock   --       Scary Face Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Sand Veil Held item: None Dugtrio♂ Lv.42 Slash Normal   --       Sand Tomb Ground   --       Mud-Slap Ground   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.44 Double Kick Fighting   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoking♂ Lv.45 Double Kick Fighting   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Thrash Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightningrod Held item: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.50 Take Down Normal   --       Rock Blast Rock   --       Scary Face Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Trainer	Pokémon
Ace Trainer Arabella ヤスタカ Yasutaka Reward: $3120	Stantler♂ Lv.53 No item
	Tauros♂ Lv.52 No item
Ace Trainer Salma アキエ Akie Reward: $3180	Slowking♀ Lv.50 Oran Berry
	Lickilicky♀ Lv.53 No item
Ace Trainer Bonita ヨシノリ Yoshinori Reward: $3120	Spinda♂ Lv.50 No item
	Sudowoodo♂ Lv.52 No item
Double Team Elan & Ida テンとサヨ Ten and Sayo Reward: $12000	Porygon2 Lv.52 No item
	Azumarill♂ Lv.50 No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.

Leader Blue Viridian Gym HeartGold and SoulSilver Reward: $9600

Types: Grass Psychic Ability: Chlorophyll Held item: None Exeggutor♂ Lv.55 Psychic Psychic Special   --       Hypnosis Psychic Status   --       Leaf Storm Grass Special   --       Trick Room Psychic Status   --       Types: Ground Rock Ability: Rock Head Held item: None Rhydon♂ Lv.58 Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Thunder Fang Electric Physical   --       Type: Fighting Unknown Ability: No Guard Held item: None Machamp♂ Lv.56 ThunderPunch Electric Physical   --       DynamicPunch Fighting Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Types: Water Flying Ability: Intimidate Held item: None Gyarados♂ Lv.52 Waterfall Water Physical   --       Ice Fang Ice Physical   --       Dragon Dance Dragon Status   --       Return Normal Physical   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Intimidate Held item: None Arcanine♂ Lv.58 ExtremeSpeed Normal Physical   --       Flare Blitz Fire Physical   --       Dragon Pulse Dragon Special   --       Roar Normal Status   --       Types: Normal Flying Ability: Tangled Feet Held item: Sitrus Berry Pidgeot♂ Lv.60 Whirlwind Normal Status   --       Mirror Move Flying Status   --       Return Normal Physical   --       Air Slash Flying Special   --

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

Trainer	Pokémon
Ace Trainer Samuel タクヤ Takuya Reward: $4,800	Nidoking♂ Lv.48 No item
Tamer Cole アキラ Akira Reward: $2,820	Nidorino♂ Lv.47 No item
	Rhyhorn♂ Lv.47 No item
Ace Trainer Kelly レイカ Reika Reward: $4,800	Nidoqueen♀ Lv.48 No item
Ace Trainer Yuji カズシ Kazushi Reward: $4,800	Dugtrio♂ Lv.47 No item
	Rhyhorn♂ Lv.48 No item
Tamer Jason ヒロ Hiro Reward: $2,820	Sandslash♀ Lv.47 No item
Black Belt Takashi シロウ Shirō Reward: $1,316	Graveler♂ Lv.47 No item

Gym Leader Giovanni Viridian Gym Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Reward: $8,000

Type: Ground Unknown Mega Stone: None Dugtrio♂ Lv.49 Slash Normal Physical   --       Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Types: Poison Ground Mega Stone: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.49 Super Fang Normal Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Types: Poison Ground Mega Stone: None Nidoking♂ Lv.49 Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Poison Jab Poison Physical   --       Horn Drill Normal Physical   --       Types: Ground Rock Mega Stone: None Rhydon♂ Lv.50 Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --

Rematch

Gym Leader Blue Viridian Gym Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Reward: $19,040

Type: Normal Unknown Mega Stone: None Tauros♂ Lv.66 Double-Edge Normal Physical   --       Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Iron Tail Steel Physical   --       Type: Psychic Unknown Mega Stone: None Alakazam♂ Lv.66 Dazzling Gleam Fairy Special   --       Psychic Psychic Special   --       Reflect Psychic Status   --       Foul Play Dark Physical   --       Types: Water Flying Mega Stone: None Gyarados♂ Lv.66 Waterfall Water Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Outrage Dragon Physical   --       Types: Grass Psychic Mega Stone: None Exeggutor♂ Lv.66 Power Whip Grass Physical   --       Light Screen Psychic Status   --       Stomp Normal Physical   --       Psychic Psychic Special   --       Types: Rock Flying Mega Stone: None Aerodactyl♂ Lv.66 Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Iron Tail Steel Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Types: Fire Flying Mega Stone: Charizardite Y Charizard♂ Lv.68 Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Dragon Pulse Dragon Special   --       Hyper Beam Normal Special   --       Air Slash Flying Special   --

Side series games

A field based on the Gym appears in Pokémon Stadium's Gym Leader Castle and Stadium 2's Kanto Gym Leader Castle.

Trainers

Pokémon Stadium

Round 1

Trainer	Pokémon
Rocket	Golbat Lv.50-100 No item
	Raticate Lv.50-100 No item
	Persian Lv.50-100 No item
	Moltres Lv.50-100 No item
	Dodrio Lv.50-100 No item
	Parasect Lv.50-100 No item
Lab Man	Kabutops Lv.50-100 No item
	Magneton Lv.50-100 No item
	Fearow Lv.50-100 No item
	Hitmonchan Lv.50-100 No item
	Poliwrath Lv.50-100 No item
	Lickitung Lv.50-100 No item
Cool♂	Omastar Lv.50-100 No item
	Dodrio Lv.50-100 No item
	Tentacruel Lv.50-100 No item
	Clefable Lv.50-100 No item
	Zapdos Lv.50-100 No item
	Pinsir Lv.50-100 No item

Giovani Gym Leader Castle Stadium

Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.50-100 Toxic Poison   --       Slash Normal   --       Thunderbolt Electric   --       BubbleBeam Water   --       Type: Ground Unknown Dugtrio Lv.50-100 Sand-Attack Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Dig Ground   --       Rock Slide Rock   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.50-100 Double Kick Fighting   --       Strength Normal   --       Surf Water   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.50-100 Horn Drill Normal   --       Thunder Electric   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Toxic Poison   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhydon Lv.50-100 Fury Attack Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Fissure Ground   --       Type: Normal Unknown Tauros Lv.50-100 Thunder Electric   --       Fire Blast Fire   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Stomp Normal   --

Round 2

Trainer	Pokémon
Rocket	Golbat Lv.50-100 No item
	Raticate Lv.50-100 No item
	Persian Lv.50-100 No item
	Kangaskhan Lv.50-100 No item
	Dodrio Lv.50-100 No item
	Parasect Lv.50-100 No item
Lab Man	Kabutops Lv.50-100 No item
	Magneton Lv.50-100 No item
	Fearow Lv.50-100 No item
	Hitmonchan Lv.50-100 No item
	Poliwrath Lv.50-100 No item
	Lickitung Lv.50-100 No item
Cool♂	Omastar Lv.50-100 No item
	Dodrio Lv.50-100 No item
	Tentacruel Lv.50-100 No item
	Clefable Lv.50-100 No item
	Zapdos Lv.50-100 No item
	Pinsir Lv.50-100 No item

Giovani Gym Leader Castle Stadium

Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.50-100 Screech Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Thunderbolt Electric   --       BubbleBeam Water   --       Type: Normal Unknown Tauros Lv.50-100 Thunder Electric   --       Fire Blast Fire   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.50-100 Double Kick Fighting   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Thunderbolt Electric   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.50-100 Thrash Normal   --       Thunder Electric   --       Surf Water   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Ghost Poison Gengar Lv.50-100 Hypnosis Psychic   --       Dream Eater Psychic   --       Night Shade Ghost   --       Explosion Normal   --       Types: Fire Flying Moltres Lv.50-100 Fire Spin Fire   --       Toxic Poison   --       Fly Flying   --       Double-Edge Normal   --

Pokémon Stadium 2

Round 1

Gym Leader Blue Kanto Gym Leader Castle Stadium 2

Types: Normal Flying Held item: PRZCureBerry Pidgeot♀ Lv.50-100 Whirlwind Normal   --       Steel Wing Steel   --       Wing Attack Flying   --       Mirror Move Flying   --       Type: Psychic Unknown Held item: MiracleBerry Alakazam♂ Lv.50-100 Psychic Psychic   --       Reflect Psychic   --       Recover Normal   --       Fire Punch Fire   --       Types: Ground Rock Held item: Focus Band Rhydon♂ Lv.50-100 Rollout Rock   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Iron Tail Steel   --       DynamicPunch Fighting   --       Types: Water Flying Held item: Scope Lens Gyarados♀ Lv.50-100 Surf Water   --       Flail Normal   --       Bite Dark   --       DragonBreath Dragon   --       Types: Grass Psychic Held item: Quick Claw Exeggutor♀ Lv.50-100 Giga Drain Grass   --       Psychic Psychic   --       Sludge Bomb Poison   --       Nightmare Ghost   --       Type: Fire Unknown Held item: King's Rock Arcanine♂ Lv.50-100 Flamethrower Fire   --       Bite Dark   --       Dig Ground   --       ExtremeSpeed Normal   --

Round 2

Gym Leader Blue Kanto Gym Leader Castle Stadium 2

Types: Bug Flying Held item: BrightPowder Scyther♂ Lv.50-100 Agility Psychic   --       Baton Pass Normal   --       Wing Attack Flying   --       Swords Dance Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Held item: MiracleBerry Miltank♀ Lv.50-100 Body Slam Normal   --       Reversal Fighting   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Shadow Ball Ghost   --       Types: Ghost Poison Held item: King's Rock Gengar♂ Lv.50-100 Psychic Psychic   --       Ice Punch Ice   --       Fire Punch Fire   --       ThunderPunch Electric   --       Types: Dark Fire Held item: Focus Band Houndoom♂ Lv.50-100 Flamethrower Fire   --       Crunch Dark   --       Iron Tail Steel   --       Reversal Fighting   --       Types: Ice Ground Held item: Quick Claw Piloswine♂ Lv.50-100 Roar Normal   --       Ice Beam Ice   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Rock Slide Rock   --       Types: Water Dragon Held item: Scope Lens Kingdra♀ Lv.50-100 Surf Water   --       DragonBreath Dragon   --       Ice Beam Ice   --       Flail Normal   --

In the anime

Main series

Viridian Gym in the anime

Viridian Gym's battlefield in the anime

The Viridian Gym was originally led by Giovanni, as it was in Generation I. The Gym featured ancient Roman architecture, stately pillars, and an old mural. A predominant brownish color scheme was used to represent the Gym's affiliation with the Ground type. Owing to this, there were also guards resembling ancient Roman soldiers posted outside.

Original series

The Viridian Gym debuted in The Battle of the Badge. Before Ash could challenge the Gym, however, Gary appeared, taunting him with his ten Badges and insisting on challenging the Viridian Gym for fun. Gary faced Giovanni, though his confidence quickly eroded after Giovanni brought out Mewtwo, who defeated each of Gary's Pokémon with ease, even when Giovanni allowed him to use more than one Pokémon at a time.

Ash challenged the Gym soon after. However, unbeknownst to him, Giovanni had unmentioned business to attend to, and thus he left the Gym in the care of Jessie, James, and Meowth, giving them several Pokémon to use against any possible challengers. At first, Ash had a hard time beating them, as the trio had rigged the Trainer platforms to shock anyone whose Pokémon took damage. Eventually, Ash overcame the borrowed Pokémon's power and defeated all of them, causing Team Rocket to completely ignore the Gym rules and send out their Arbok and Weezing. Despite this, even the two additional Pokémon were quickly taken down. When Togepi started playing with Meowth's remote control, it inadvertently caused the Trainer platforms to explode and send Team Rocket blasting off again. They dropped an Earth Badge in their wake, allowing Ash to get his eighth Badge. Ash, Misty, Brock, Gary, and Gary's cheerleaders then ran out of the Gym, which proceeded to collapse into ruins due to the explosion.

Pokémon movies

The Gym briefly reappeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back and its remake Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, depicting several instances of Giovanni using Mewtwo to defeat his challengers, including Gary in the aforementioned battle.

Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

The rebuilt Viridian Gym appeared when Ash returned to Kanto from Hoenn in The Scheme Team, where it was revealed that Agatha of the Elite Four was serving as the temporary Gym Leader until the official new Leader would arrive. Ash challenged her to an exhibition match, but lost. This was also the place where Ash first met Scott, who told him about the Battle Frontier. During its second appearance, the Gym sported a new, lighter color scheme.

Giovanni abdicating his position as Gym Leader is similar to the case in the Generation I games; however, in the anime, he is still in charge of Team Rocket, while he also disbands the team in the games.

Gallery

Original design	Original battlefield	Battlefield with Trainer platforms raised	Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution

Pokémon used in the Gym

Used by Giovanni

Mewtwo

Debut	The Battle of the Badge
Voice actors
Japanese	Masachika Ichimura
English	Philip Bartlett (M01) Dan Green (M22)

Main article: Mewtwo (M01)

Giovanni held control of this Mewtwo created by his scientists for some time, until it learned that Giovanni had meant its purpose to be fighting for him, and escaped.

While controlling Mewtwo, Giovanni used its overwhelming Psychic powers to capture new Pokémon for Team Rocket and in his Gym battles, where it defeated all of his challengers effortlessly. When Mewtwo discovered Giovanni's real intentions for it, it broke out of its bonds and escaped.

Golem

Debut	The Battle of the Badge
Voice actors
Japanese
English	Eric Stuart

Golem was the first Pokémon that Giovanni used in his Gym battle with Gary, sending it against Gary's Nidoking. The Megaton Pokémon was easily defeated. It was later seen in its cage while Giovanni went to see Mewtwo.

Golem's only known move is Tackle.

Used by Giovanni and the Team Rocket trio

Kingler

Debut	The Battle of the Badge
Voice actors
Japanese	Rikako Aikawa
English	Rikako Aikawa

Giovanni used his Kingler in his Gym battle with Gary, sending it to battle against Gary's Nidoking. Gary, however, quickly withdraws his Pokémon and calls out Arcanine. Despite having a type advantage, Kingler proved to be no match for the Legendary Pokémon, and was finally taken out by Arcanine's Fire Blast.

Kingler was also later loaned to Jessie for Ash's Gym battle. She used it to battle against Bulbasaur, but lost, although not before dealing heavy damage to Bulbasaur with its Bubble attack, and by consequence, Ash experienced its pain.

Kingler was seen again in a flashback to Ash's Viridian Gym battle in Bad To The Bone.

The known moves of the Kingler Jessie used are Crabhammer, Harden, and Bubble.

Machamp

Debut	The Battle of the Badge
Voice actors
Japanese
English	Eric Stuart

Giovanni loaned his Machamp to Jessie for her Gym battle against Ash. It battled against Ash's Squirtle, but lost, although not before dealing heavy damage to Squirtle with its Karate Chop attack, and by consequence, Ash experienced its pain.

Machamp's only known move is Karate Chop.

Rhydon

Debut	The Battle of the Badge
Voice actors
Japanese	Katsuyuki Konishi
English	Katsuyuki Konishi

Giovanni loaned his Rhydon to Jessie for Ash's Gym battle. It was defeated by Ash's Pidgeotto's Double-Edge.

Rhydon was seen again in a flashback to Ash's Viridian Gym battle in Bad To The Bone.

None of Rhydon's moves are known.

Used by Jessie and James

Arbok

Debut	Pokémon Emergency!
Voice actors
Japanese	Kōichi Sakaguchi
English	Kōichi Sakaguchi

Main article: Jessie's Arbok

Arbok was used when Jessie and James were the temporary Gym Leaders.

Weezing

Debut	Pokémon Emergency!
Voice actors
Japanese	Unshō Ishizuka
English	Eric Stuart

Main article: James's Weezing

Weezing was used when Jessie and James were the temporary Gym Leaders.

Used by Agatha

Gengar

Debut	The Scheme Team
Voice actors
Japanese	Katsuyuki Konishi
English	Ed Paul

Main article: Agatha's Gengar

Gengar is Agatha's main Pokémon which she used in battle against Ash's Pikachu.

Pokémon Origins

The Viridian Gym in Pokémon Origins

The Viridian Gym battlefield in Pokémon Origins

The Viridian Gym was featured in File 3: Giovanni. Once Red arrived in Viridian City in order to challenge the Gym, he encountered Blue, who was revealed to have defeated the newly returned Gym Leader just the day before.

Once Red entered the Gym, he right away noticed the different atmosphere it had compared to the other Gyms he had previously visited. The reason for this was revealed soon enough, as Red then found out that the Gym Leader was none other than the Team Rocket Boss, Giovanni. Red refused to believe that a man who treated Pokémon as tools for business, like Giovanni, could be the strongest Gym Leader of all. Giovanni, however, ignored this, simply stating that he didn't need his acceptance to make it true. As he asked whether Red wanted to battle him or not, Red replied that he was challenging him, but not as a Gym Leader, but as the enemy of all Pokémon. Seeing Red's arrogant attitude, Giovanni put away his usual Gym Leader team and took out two Ultra Balls, containing his strongest Pokémon. The first one was Rhyhorn, which, surprisingly, was able to defeat four of Red's Pokémon, despite two of them (Victreebel and Kabutops) having a tremendous type advantage over it.

Eventually, Red's Hitmonlee was able to tie with the Spikes Pokémon, leaving both Trainers with one Pokémon remaining. Knowing that Red was going to use his Charizard, Giovanni revealed his other Pokémon being Rhydon, and said that Red made a mistake by saving Charizard as his last Pokémon. Red, however, told that he had intended it to be so right from the start, wanting to give the whole match a meaning by winning it with his Charizard. At first, Giovanni intended to crush Red's pride along with his Charizard, but when he sent out his first partner Pokémon, Giovanni realized that the pose that he had taken and the way he threw his Poké Ball reminded him of his childhood, when he had also battled just for fun and excitement. After a climactic clash between Charizard and Rhydon, which ended with Charizard defeating the Drill Pokémon with Seismic Toss, Giovanni was ready to give the Earth Badge as a sign of his defeat, but Red refused to take a Badge from the Boss of Team Rocket. With his childhood passion for battling revitalized, Giovanni told his minions that Team Rocket was now disbanded, before turning back to Red and presenting the Earth Badge to him as the Viridian Gym Leader instead of as the Boss of Team Rocket.

Once Red left the Gym and headed for the Pokémon League, Giovanni decided that it was time for him to find a new path for himself and his Pokémon, indicating that, much like in the games, he was going to leave the Gym and train on his own.

Pokémon used in the Gym

Rhyhorn

Debut	File 3: Giovanni

Rhyhorn was the first Pokémon Giovanni used in his Gym battle against Red. It was able to defeat Red's Victreebel, Kabutops, Snorlax, and Jolteon, despite the former two having the type advantage. It finally drew with Red's Hitmonlee.

Rhyhorn's moves are Horn Attack, Take Down, Thunderbolt, and Horn Drill.

Rhydon

Debut	File 3: Giovanni

Rhydon was the second Pokémon Giovanni used in his Gym battle against Red. It went up against Red's Charizard and lost after a tough fight, taken down by Charizard's Seismic Toss.

Rhydon's known moves are Mega Punch, Fury Attack, and Horn Drill.

Pokémon Generations

The Viridian Gym in Pokémon Generations

The Viridian Gym battlefield in Pokémon Generations

The Viridian Gym made an appearance in The Chase. While searching for Giovanni, the International Police managed to track his location down to the Viridian Gym. A squadron of International Police SWAT officers led by Looker subsequently raided the Gym in order to catch Giovanni, but came to find out that the Gym was empty, although signs of a recent battle were visible on the battlefield.

During a follow-up investigation, the International Police was surprised to discover that Giovanni was the Viridian Gym Leader, and that he had vanished after losing to two Trainers.

Pokémon Evolutions

The Viridian Gym in Pokémon Evolutions

The Viridian Gym made a brief appearance in The Discovery, where Blue was shown as its Leader, preparing to take on a challenger.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Viridian Gym battlefield in Pokémon Adventures

Viridian Gym in Pokémon Adventures

Viridian Gym in the Red, Green & Blue arc

Red, Green & Blue arc

The Viridian Gym first appeared in Bulbasaur, Come Home!, where Red and Professor Oak entered it while following a Bulbasaur escaped from Professor Oak's Laboratory. At the Gym, they were attacked by a wild Machoke, but Red managed to defeat it with Bulbasaur's Solar Beam. Afterwards, Professor Oak let Red keep Bulbasaur.

The Viridian Gym made a brief appearance in Make Way For Magmar!, where citizens of Viridian City were asking questions about the missing Gym Leader.

Red revisited the Gym from Drat That Dratini! to Long Live the Nidoqueen?! after hearing rumors about the missing "invincible" Gym Leader. At the Gym, he met Giovanni, learning that not only was he the Viridian City Gym Leader, but also the leader of Team Rocket. Giovanni then challenged Red to a battle, making a bet with him that should Red lose, he'd come to serve him as his right-hand man. During the battle, Giovanni's Nidoking's Earthquake caused the Gym to collapse into ruins. Eventually Red emerged victorious with his Pika defeating Giovanni's Nidoqueen and knocking the Gym Leader himself unconscious as well.

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

In Forretress of Solitude, Red participated in Pokémon Association's Gym Leader test for the new Viridian Gym Leader at the reconstructed Viridian Gym. Although he passed the test with flying colors, Red had to turn down the offer, as he had not yet completely recovered from the frostbites he had received after being frozen by Lorelei in the Yellow arc. As such, Blue was appointed as the new Gym Leader instead, after he impressed the Pokémon Association by stopping and capturing a group of rampaging wild Pokémon.

FireRed & LeafGreen arc

In Secrets from Sneasel, Yellow went to the Viridian Gym, looking for Blue, but only found his hologram, set there in case for a challenger coming while he was not present. An automated system then brought out Blue's Pokémon, which, even without their Trainer giving them commands, easily defeated Yellow's Chuchu in a battle. Soon Silver arrived at the site as well, looking for his roots.

Pokémon used in the Gym

Used by Giovanni

Cloyster ♂

Debut	Make Way for Magmar!

Giovanni's Cloyster was called out to take care of two Magmar that were causing trouble after Red did not finish them off. He froze them solid before brutally shattering them to take out. Later, he was seen again during the Gym battle against Red and used the same freezing strategy on Poli to defeat him when Red lost his cool and attacked the Rocket Boss vigorously.

None of Cloyster's moves are known and his Ability is Shell Armor.

Nidoqueen ♀

Debut	Golly, Golem!

Nidoqueen first appeared in the Viridian Gym battle against Red. She was able to heavily damage Red's Snor by countering his attack and hurling him straight for the wall with little effort. However, at the climax of the battle, she was KO'd by Pika's Thunderbolt* and lost the battle.

Nidoqueen's known moves are Counter, Poison Sting, and Scratch, and her Ability is Poison Point.

Golem ♂

Debut	Golly, Golem!

Giovanni switched out Nidoqueen for his Golem. Golem was a very fast Pokémon as he was able to easily outmatch Red. He was crumbled by Snor's Headbutt before knocking himself out with Explosion.

Golem's known moves are Tackle, Rock Throw, and Explosion, and his Ability is Sturdy.

Beedrill ♂

Debut	Golly, Golem!

Main article: Giovanni's Beedrill

Beedrill is one of Giovanni's main Pokémon. He caught him when he was a Weedle at Viridian Forest while he was a young Pokémon Trainer. Since then, Giovanni has used Beedrill as a reliable partner in many situations as a boss of Team Rocket. He notes that while he prefers to use Pokémon of his specialty type, his origins have given him a profound significance in his heart.

Beedrill debuted during Giovanni's battle with Red, where he ended up being knocked out by Aero's Hyper Beam. He later appeared when Giovanni came to help Yellow in the battle against Lance at the Cerise Island, where Giovanni used him to burst the giant bubble which Lance had been using to protect himself and his Pokémon.

Nidoking ♂

Debut	Long Live the Nidoqueen?!

Nidoking was one of the Pokémon used in the Viridian Gym battle but did not officially participate. Later, he was used to destroy the Gym with an Earthquake. Many years afterwards, Giovanni observed a site where Deoxys rampaged and left a gang of bikers in ruins. When one of them begged Giovanni to save his life, he promptly swatted him away, and then used Nidoking's Rock Tomb to incapacitate him and his Magmar.

Nidoking's known moves are Earthquake, Fire Punch, and Rock Tomb, and his Ability is Poison Point.

Rhyhorn ♂

Debut	Long Live the Nidoqueen?!

Rhyhorn was one of the Pokémon used in the Gym battle against Red. He was very powerful as he was able to knock out Red's Aero in a single hit. During the Yellow arc, Giovanni used him to battle Lance in Cerise Island but got knocked out by Dragonair's Hyper Beam.

Rhyhorn's known moves are Tail Whip, Horn Attack, and Stomp, and his Ability is Rock Head.

Rhydon ♂

Debut	Long Live the Nidoqueen?!

Rhydon was seen in the Gym battle with Giovanni's other Pokémon. However, as he was only seen trying to trap Red into a fissure, little is known about him.

Rhydon's only known move is Fissure, and his Ability is Lightning Rod.

Dugtrio ♂

Debut	Long Live the Nidoqueen?!

Giovanni's Dugtrio was only used to stop Red's Saur and Gyara from coming out of their Poké Balls by destroying their opening mechanisms.

Dugtrio's only known move is Dig and his Ability is Sand Veil.

Used by Blue

Pidgeot ♂

Debut	A Tale of Ninetales

Pidgeot is one of Blue's original main team members. He was used to send letters to Professor Oak when they cut off communication after Blue's battle with Agatha. He was later replaced by Rhydon. He has a Hardy nature. As of The Last Battle XIV, Pidgeot is at level 76.

Pidgeot's known moves are Wing Attack and Feather Dance, and his Ability is Keen Eye.

Ninetales ♂

Debut	A Tale of Ninetales

Blue and Red caught this Ninetales together, but Blue succeeded in claiming him. He has also used Ninetales later against Red in the Pokémon League and against Agatha's Gengar at Cerise Island. He has a Modest nature. As of The Last Battle XIV, Ninetales is at level 68.

Ninetales's known moves are Flamethrower, Fire Blast, and Fire Spin, and his Ability is Flash Fire.

Exeggutor, Alakazam, and Arcanine ♂

Debut	Rock, Paper...Scizor

Blue caught these Pokémon when they were rampaging due to the radio in Rock, Paper...Scizor. As of The Last Battle XIV, Exeggutor is at level 67 and has a Relaxed nature, Arcanine is at level 71 and his Characteristic is "a little quick tempered", and Alakazam is at level 64 and has a Lax nature.

Alakazam's only known move is Role Play and his Ability is Inner Focus.
None of Exeggutor's moves are known, and his Ability is Chlorophyll.
None of Arcanine's moves are known and his Ability is Intimidate.

Viridian Gym in Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Viridian Gym in Pokémon Zensho

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

The Viridian Gym appeared in Get The Last Badge!!, where Red battled Giovanni for his final Kanto Gym Badge, eventually emerging victorious.

Pokémon Zensho

Viridian Gym in Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

The Viridian Gym appeared in PZ09, where Satoshi entered the Gym and was surprised to find out that Giovanni was the Gym Leader. First Satoshi used his Lapras against Giovanni's Rhydon, but its Hydro Pump wasn't enough, so Satoshi switched out for his Charizard, who was able to beat Rhydon, ending the battle. Giovanni then revealed that he had once been trapped in a landslide and his Nidoking had seemingly abandoned him, making him a bitter person. Mr. Fuji, however, appeared and brought Giovanni his Nidoking's horn as a proof that his Pokémon had left to seek help, but died of his own injuries. Giovanni proceeded to reward Satoshi with an Earth Badge and promised to stay out of his way from now on.

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

The Viridian Gym appeared in The True Road to Becoming the Strongest!!, where Jō was seen defeating Blue with his Feraligatr and earning his last Kanto Badge. Afterwards, Blue told Jō about a strong Trainer who had traveled through Kanto three years earlier.

In the TCG

The following is a list of cards mentioning or featuring Viridian City Gym in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Pokémon in Viridian Gym Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
Diglett		Unbroken Bonds		85/214	Double Blaze		043/095
Rhydon		Unbroken Bonds		94/214	Double Blaze		049/095
Other related cards
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
Viridian City Gym	T [St]	Gym Challenge		123/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Blue's Tactics	Su	Unified Minds		188/236	Miracle Twin		087/094

Trivia

The Viridian Gym in a Pokémon GO loading screen

• Although the Gym guide in Generations I and III seems to be unaware of the Gym Leader's identity until the player defeats Giovanni, in Generation I, the statues near the Gym's entrance still list Giovanni as the Leader of the Gym. This oversight was removed in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, where the Gym Leader's name is only visible on the statues once Giovanni has been defeated.
• The Viridian Gym is the only official Gym with non-hidden items that can be picked up from the floor.
  • Under Blue's leadership, it is also the only official Gym to not focus on any particular type.
• In the anime, Agatha's temporary position as Leader of the Viridian Gym, replacing Giovanni, may be a reference to the games, in which Giovanni quit Team Rocket and his status as Gym Leader after being defeated by Red.
• In Generation II, the design of the walls is possibly a reference to Nintendo's discontinued N&B Blocks, which are also featured in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins.
• In Generation II, it is possible to challenge Blue before beating any other Kanto Gym Leader by talking to him on Cinnabar Island. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Blue can only be challenged when the player has seven Badges from Kanto.
• The two leaders of the Viridian Gym are coincidentally also the two Trainers that the player must defeat multiple times in Red and Blue.
• In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the exterior coloring of each Gym is based on the colors most associated with the type that the Gym specializes in. Viridian Gym, however, is both green and blue, possibly referring to its Gym Leader's name.
• In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player can find a bottle message at Ula'ula Beach, which they can deliver to Rising Star Kainoa at Malie City's Outer Cape. He will tell the player that the message is from a friend of his named Arabella, who works as a Gym Trainer in Kanto. This is a reference to Ace Trainer Arabella, who can be battled at the Viridian Gym in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
• The Viridian Gym was the first Gym to change its Leader mid-game.
• In the Round 2 battle of Pokémon Stadium 2, each of Blue's Pokémon is the signature Pokémon of a Trainer battled at the end of a stage at the Johto Gym Leader Castle: Scyther is the signature Pokémon of Bugsy, Miltank is the signature Pokémon of Whitney, Gengar is the signature Pokémon of Morty, Houndoom is the signature Pokémon of Archer, Piloswine is the signature Pokémon of Pryce, and Kingdra is the signature Pokémon of Clair.
• The Viridian Gym, as it appears in the anime, made a cameo in a Pokémon GO loading screen from October 2 to December 16, 2019, which featured Giovanni observing the player battling the Team GO Rocket Leaders and their Shadow Pokémon.
• In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, next to Giovanni, there is a bowl containing four Oran Berries, despite them not being obtainable in these games.
• Conceptual art for Pokémon Red and Green suggests that the Viridian Gym was going to be the first Gym to be fought, and that a different character would have acted as its Gym Leader.

Related articles

Gym Leaders of the Kanto region
Pewter Gym Brock	Cerulean Gym Misty	Vermilion Gym Lt. Surge	Celadon Gym Erika
Fuchsia Gym Koga Janine	Saffron Gym Sabrina	Cinnabar Gym Blaine	Viridian Gym Giovanni Blue

Team Rocket in Pokémon the Series Boss: Giovanni • Madame Boss (formerly) Secretary: Matori Executives: Iron-Masked Marauder Notable members: Team Rocket trio (Jessie • James • Meowth) Miyamoto • Mondo • Attila • Hun • Domino • Rocket Scout Wendy • Tyson • Jubei • Viper • Pierce • Gozu Scientists: Dr. Fuji • Dr. Namba • Sebastian • Dr. Zager Lower members: Team Rocket Grunts (Matori Matrix) Former members: Butch • Cassidy • Christopher Dub only: Annie • Oakley Locations: Viridian Gym • Team Rocket HQ Team Rocket Academy • Bewear's den Related: Mechas (Rocket Prize Master) • Motto • Blasting off Arsenal • Alternate World Team Rocket See also: Games • Adventures

Team Rocket in Pokémon Adventures Boss: Giovanni • Masked Man (formerly) Executives: Carl • Sham • Archer • Ariana • Petrel • Proton Notable members: Ken, Al, and Harry • Carr • Orm Lower members: Team Rocket Grunts Former members: Koga • Sabrina • Lt. Surge • Blaine Will • Karen • Sird Locations: Rocket Game Corner • Team Rocket Hideout Silph Co. • Viridian Gym • Team Rocket HQ Rocket Warehouse • Trainer Tower • Cliff Cave Related: Neo Team Rocket • Team Rocket airship See also: Games • Pokémon the Series

This article is part of Project Locations, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every location in the Pokémon world.